01-10-2007, 10:59 AM
Abraham, Moses and Jesus: Three Beloved Prophets of Islam
By Fayzah H. Mughal
Yes, Islam does accept Abraham, Moses and Jesus, giving them the Arabic names of ‘Ibrahim,’ ‘Musa,’ and ‘Isa’ respectively. They are often mentioned in the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam, always with great respect. The Qur’an gives them the status of Prophethood, differing from the Jewish view of Moses as an important historical figure, and Christianity’s view of Jesus as the ‘Son of God.’
Prophet Abraham/Ibrahim is considered the first ‘Muslim,’ which literally means ‘One who submits his soul to God and God alone.’ He was born into a family of polytheists who were leaders in their religion to worship various statues of gods. When he realized there was only one true God, and that what his parents worshipped were useless idols, he tried to tell his father. In the Qur’an, it is stated that he pleaded to his father: "O my father! Why do you worship what neither hears, nor sees, nor does it avail you in the least?" (19:42) After such pleading, his father rejected him angrily for defying the old beliefs. Yet Abraham still said in Chapter 19, Surah Mary/Maryam, verse 47: "Peace be upon you: I will pray to my Lord to forgive you: Surely He is ever Affectionate." The Qur’an says of Prophet Abraham: "When he had turned away from them and from those who worshipped besides God, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each one of them We made a prophet, and We granted them of Our Mercy, and We (left behind them) a truthful mention of eminence for them." (19:49-50) Isaac was his second son and Jacob his grandson, who would carry Abraham’s traditions to become the ‘Children of Israel’ or the Israelites, forming Judaism.
Abraham’s first son was Ismail. "Also mention Ismail in the Book: Surely he was truthful to (his) promise, And he was a messenger (and) a prophet. And he enjoined on his people worship and almsgiving, and was acceptable in the sight of his Lord." (19:54-55) Ultimately, the Prophets Moses, Jesus and lastly Muhammad, (peace be upon them), came from Prophet Abraham. "Also mention in the Book (The story of) Moses: For he was specially chosen, and he was an apostle (and) prophet. And We called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for Mystic (converse). And out of Mercy we gave him his brother Aaron, (also) a prophet." (19:51-53) Like in the Torah, the Qur’an includes the parting of the Red Sea (20:77, 26:63) and the forty night Moses spent on Mt. Sinai. (2:51, 7:42)
Surah Maryam/Mary mentions Mary and Jesus peace be upon them. When an Angel in the form of a man come to Mary, she feared for her chastity, but those fears were put aside when he said "Nay, I am only a messenger from the Lord (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son." Then she said "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me and I am not unchaste." The Angel replied, "...Even so; Your Lord Says, "That is Easy to Me: and that way we make him a sign to men and a Mercy from Us, and it is a matter which has been decreed." (19:19-21) Underneath a palm tree, Maryam (peace be upon her) gave birth to her son Jesus, miraculously remaining chaste. God then forbade her to talk, but her babe could, and so he said from the cradle "I am indeed a servant of God, He hath given me Revelation and made me a prophet: And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I Live. (19:30-31) In Surah 3, verses 48-49, the Qur’an says of Jesus, "And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, The Law and the Gospel, and (appoint him an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it, and it becomes a bird by God’s Leave..." Thus, Jesus is considered a prophet, and a human servant of God (Allah), that was able to make these miracles only with God’s Leave.
Muslims recognize Jews and Christians, as the ‘People of the Book’ and also those that believes truly in the one God. Each of us has a Holy book, and believe in one God. Islam and its people are more open minded than many people think, promoting peace, unity and the belief in one God. These three religions have more in common than many people tend to believe.